Politics

'One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.'Plato

From September 2017 we have been offering the revised A Level course in Politics (Edexcel) which will be linear, with three examinations at the end of two years of study.

Year 1: LVI British Politics and Government + IdeologiesComponent 1: (9PLO/01)1. Political Participation, students will study: democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the media.2. Core Political Ideas, students will study: conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

Component 2: (9PLO/02)1. UK Government, students will study: the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches.2. Non-core political ideas, students will study: feminism

In UVI students draw on their knowledge from the previous year and combine it with a further course on American Politics. Politics and Government of the USA and Comparative Politics (9PLO/3A)Component 31. The US Constitution and federalism, US Congress, US presidency, US Supreme Court and civil rights, democracy and participation. 2. Comparative theories, comparing UK and US politics and government.

In lessons we use a variety of activities, including debating and analysing newspaper articles, to help the girls understand the nature of politics and develop their ability to evaluate events and processes critically. The subject is fast changing, with new developments in the political landscape every day, and challenges preconceptions about society and governing the UK. The most recent general election is an excellent resource for our studies in Politics.

The courses are supported by trips to the Palace of Westminster and workshops that relate to the course, as well as revision lectures.

Whether you are conscious of it or not, politics shapes your life, from the food you eat to the school you attend and far, far beyond.